Fact Sheet 6a February 1995

Southeast Rockford Groundwater Contamination
Rockford, Illinois
Winnebago County

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) investigations indicate that Area 7 was used mainly for disposal of household wastes but also includes a significant amount of industrial waste. Chemicals from this industrial waste apparently are one of the major sources of private well contamination in the Southeast Rockford Groundwater Contamination project.

The private wells, contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are located west of Area 7, beginning approximately at 25th Street. The Illinois EPA investigated approximately 15 locations, in addition to Area 7, as potential sources for the Superfund contamination. The second fact sheet describes the results of the entire Illinois EPA investigation.

Work completed In Area 7

First nest of monitoring wells installed at the east end of Balsam Lane indicated a source of VOCs in groundwater (water beneath the ground) was nearby.

Electromagnetic survey, ground penetrating radar, and the first soil gas survey of the area indicated the presence beneath ground surface of buried metal, other fill materials, and chlorinated VOCs (VOCs that contain chlorine).

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) collected air samples from the basements of nearby houses.

Additional soil gas surveys, two test pits, 24 subsurface soil borings, and additional monitoring wells confirmed the presence of an area which had been used for disposal of industrial solvents and other materials.

IDPH and the Illinois EPA collected a second round of basement air samples from Pine Manor homes.

Results of Illinois EPA Investigations

Illinois EPA investigations indicate the presence of a number of compounds used in industrial processes. These compounds include solvents such as 1,1,1trichloroethane (TCA), perch loroethvlene, (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), toluene, and xylene which are in a group of chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Also present are breakdown products of some of these chemicals.

The two test pit excavations and the soil borings did not reveal buried drums, but this subsurface investigation was conducted only in a very limited area. Further data need to be collected to select an appropriate remedy. Concentrations of some of the chemicals indicate the possibility that tanker trucks may have come to the area and dumped chemicals in liquid form (which have since been covered) on to the ground.

Under the Superfund law, past and present owners of the site, parties who generated waste found at the site, and parties who transported the waste to the site could be held responsible for the contamination. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the U. S. Department of Justice are determining who may be responsible. If you have information that could help identify potentially responsible parties, please contact one of the people named at the end of this fact sheet.

Potential Health Effects

Yes. The main contamination is below the surface. The Illinois EPA collected surface soil samples to verify this assumption and the surface samples showed only low levels of contaminants. It does not appear these levels would cause adverse health effects.

Both the Illinois EPA and IDPH have tested air in the basements of Pine Manor subdivision homes. Many of the VOCs found in the Area 7 disposal area are present in common household products such as cleaners, waxes, glues, and paints, so it is difficult to determine sources of VOCs. However, none of the homes sampled by the Illinois EPA and IDPH had concentrations of VOCs exceeding levels found in the average urban American home.

No. Old aerial photographs and the Illinois EPA test results confirm that the western boundary of the old disposal area is located several hundred feet east of the Pine Manor subdivision.

Yes. Pine Manor is connected to the Rockford public water system and the city periodically tests the water before it is distributed to the public. Water that fails U.S. EPA public water supply standards is not distributed to the public.

Next Steps

The Illinois EPA is conducting a feasibility study of possible remedies to address contaminated groundwater. The feasibility study, by law, must include a wide range of alternatives, from no action to aggressive action. This spring, the Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA will present this study to the public for comment along with the Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA recommended groundwater remedy. After considering all public comments, the Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA will make a final decision on the groundwater remedy for the site.

Later this year, the Illinois EPA will begin the necessary field work to define the northern boundary of the old disposal area. When this work is complete, the Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA will conduct a study of possible additional remedies which may be needed for Source Area 7. In 1996/1997 the Illinois EPA will present this study to the public for comment.

Additional Information

Repositories and Administrative Record

More information on the Southeast Rockford Groundwater Contamination may be found in project repositories located at the Rockford Public Library and the Ken-Rock Community Center.

Glossary

Electromagnetic survey.

A method of survey which is used to detect the presence of metal objects beneath ground surface.

Feasibility study.

A study which identifies and evaluates the most appropriate technical approaches for addressing contamination problems at a Superfund site. The alternatives are evaluated using a number of criteria including effectiveness in protecting human health and the environment, community acceptance, and cost.

Groundwater.

Water beneath the ground surface.

Ground penetrating radar.

A method of survey which is used to determine the presence of disturbed areas and changes in the geology beneath ground surface.

Monitoring well.

A well installed at a known depth used to measure groundwater characteristics such as the presence or absence of contamination, the distance to the water table, and the direction and speed of groundwater flow.

Soil borings.

A method of collecting soil samples beneath ground surface. In Area 7 some soil borings reached a depth of 47 feet.

Soil gas survey.

A method of survey in which a probe is driven into the ground, and air beneath the surface is withdrawn and analyzed for volatile organic compounds.

Superfund.

The common name for the federal program established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 as amended in 1986. The Superfund law authorizes USEPA to investigate and clean up the nation's most serious hazardous waste sites. The law also allows the USEPA to delegate some authority to the states.

Test pit.

A test pit is a small hole excavated under highly controlled conditions in order to collect samples and observe material beneath the surface. In areas of disposal by unknown parties, a test pit can provide an opportunity to observe waste and gather information on who may be responsible for disposing of the waste.

Volatile organic compound (VOC).

An organic (carbon-containing) compound that evaporates (volatilizes) readily at room temperature.

Contact

For more information, please contact the Illinois EPA Office of Community Relations. Additional documents not available on this webpage may be obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request or through IEPA Document Explorer.